# | Rank | Similarity | Title + Abs. | Year | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 840 | 0 | 0.9947 | Outbreak of colistin and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae ST16 co-producing NDM-1 and OXA-48 isolates in an Iranian hospital. BACKGROUND: Colistin and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (Col-CRKP) represent a significant and constantly growing threat to global public health. We report here an outbreak of Col-CRKP infections during the fifth wave of COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The outbreak occurred in an intensive care unit with 22 beds at a teaching university hospital, Isfahan, Iran. We collected eight Col-CRKP strains from seven patients and characterized these strains for their antimicrobial susceptibility, determination of hypermucoviscous phenotype, capsular serotyping, molecular detection of virulence and resistance genes. Clonal relatedness of the isolates was performed using MLST. RESULTS: The COVID-19 patients were aged 24-75 years with at least 50% pulmonary involvement and were admitted to the intensive care unit. They all had superinfection caused by Col-CRKP, and poor responses to antibiotic treatment and died. With the exception of one isolate that belonged to the ST11, all seven representative Col-CRKP strains belonged to the ST16. Of these eight isolates, one ST16 isolate carried the iucA and ybtS genes was identified as serotype K20 hypervirulent Col-CRKP. The bla(SHV) and bla(NDM-1) genes were the most prevalent resistance genes, followed by bla(OXA-48) and bla(CTX-M-15) and bla(TEM) genes. Mobilized colistin-resistance genes were not detected in the isolates. CONCLUSIONS: The continual emergence of ST16 Col-CRKP strains is a major threat to public health worldwide due to multidrug-resistant and highly transmissible characteristics. It seems that the potential dissemination of these clones highlights the importance of appropriate monitoring and strict infection control measures to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria in hospitals. | 2024 | 38368365 |
| 839 | 1 | 0.9947 | Molecular characterization of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales in a tertiary hospital in Lima, Peru. Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) are a growing threat to global health and the economy. Understanding the interactions between resistance and virulence mechanisms of CPE is crucial for managing difficult-to-treat infections and informing outbreak prevention and control programs. Here, we report the characterization of 21 consecutive, unique clinical isolates of CPE collected in 2018 at a tertiary hospital in Lima, Peru. Isolates were characterized by phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing to identify resistance determinants and virulence factors. Seven Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were classified as extensively drug-resistant. The remaining Klebsiella, Enterobacter hormaechei, and Escherichia coli isolates were multidrug-resistant. Eighteen strains carried the metallo-β-lactamase NDM-1, two the serine-carbapenemase KPC-2, and one isolate had both carbapenemases. The bla(NDM-1) gene was located in the truncated ΔISAba125 element, and the bla(KPC-2) gene was in the Tn4401a transposon. ST147 was the most frequent sequence type among K. pneumoniae isolates. Our findings highlight the urgent need to address the emergence of CPE and strengthen control measures and antibiotic stewardship programs in low- and middle-income settings.IMPORTANCEGenomic surveillance of antimicrobial resistance contributes to monitoring the spread of resistance and informs treatment and prevention strategies. We characterized 21 carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales collected at a Peruvian tertiary hospital in 2018, which exhibited very high levels of resistance and carried numerous resistance genes. We detected the coexistence of carbapenemase-encoding genes (bla(NDM-1) and bla(KPC-2)) in a Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate that also had the PmrB(R256G) mutation associated with colistin resistance. The bla(KPC-2) genes were located in Tn4401a transposons, while the bla(NDM-1) genes were in the genetic structure Tn125 (ΔISAba125). The presence of high-risk clones among Klebsiella pneumoniae (ST11 and ST147) and Escherichia coli (ST410) isolates is also reported. The study reveals the emergence of highly resistant bacteria in a Peruvian hospital, which could compromise the effectiveness of current treatments and control. | 2024 | 38193666 |
| 1531 | 2 | 0.9946 | Emergence of Plasmids Co-Harboring Carbapenem Resistance Genes and tmexCD2-toprJ2 in Sequence Type 11 Carbapenem Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains. OBJECTIVES: To characterize two plasmids co-harboring carbapenem resistance genes and tmexCD2-toprJ2 in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) strains. METHODS: Two clinical CRKP strains were isolated and characterized by antimicrobial susceptibility testing, conjugation assays, whole-genome sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis. RESULTS: The two CRKP strains NB4 and NB5 were both resistant to imipenem, meropenem and tigecycline. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that two CRKP strains belonged to the ST11 type and carried multiple resistance genes. The tmexCD2-toprJ2 clusters in both strains were located on the IncFIB(Mar)-like/HI1B-like group of hybrid plasmids, which co-harbored the metallo-β-lactamase gene bla(NDM-1). In addition, the co-existence of bla(NDM-1) and bla(KPC-2) and the presence of tmexCD2-toprJ2 in CRKP strain NB5 was observed. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, tmexCD2-toprJ2 gene clusters were identified in two NDM-1-producing CRKP ST11 strains. These gene clusters will likely spread into clinical high-risk CRKP clones and exacerbate the antimicrobial resistance crisis. In addition, we detected the co-occurrence of bla(NDM-1), bla(KPC-2) and tmexCD2-toprJ2 in a single strain, which will undoubtedly accelerate the formation of a "superdrug resistant" bacteria. Hence, effective control measures should be implemented to prevent the further dissemination of such organisms in clinical settings. | 2022 | 35646740 |
| 841 | 3 | 0.9946 | blaOXA-48 carrying clonal colistin resistant-carbapenem resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in neonate intensive care unit, India. Bacteria resistant to colistin, a last resort antibiotic reflect the pre-antibiotic era. In this study, colistin resistance carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (COL(R)- CRKP) strains from neonate's intensive care unit were evaluated. Molecular analysis showed that all the four colistin resistant K. pneumoniae isolates were clonally related with strong biofilm formation ability and harbored bla(SHV-34) and bla(OXA-48) genes. Our result suggested the need of proper surveillance and adequate infection control to limiting the spread of these organisms. | 2016 | 27622347 |
| 1832 | 4 | 0.9946 | Long-read sequencing reveals genomic diversity and associated plasmid movement of carbapenemase-producing bacteria in a UK hospital over 6 years. Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) affect the most vulnerable people in society and are increasingly difficult to treat in the face of mounting antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Routine surveillance represents an effective way of understanding the circulation and burden of bacterial resistance and transmission in hospital settings. Here, we used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to retrospectively analyse carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacteria from a single hospital in the UK over 6 years (n=165). We found that the vast majority of isolates were either hospital-onset (HAI) or HCAI. Most carbapenemase-producing organisms were carriage isolates, with 71 % isolated from screening (rectal) swabs. Using WGS, we identified 15 species, the most common being Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Only one significant clonal outbreak occurred during the study period and involved a sequence type (ST)78 K. pneumoniae carrying bla (NDM-1) on an IncFIB/IncHI1B plasmid. Contextualization with public data revealed little evidence of this ST outside of the study hospital, warranting ongoing surveillance. Carbapenemase genes were found on plasmids in 86 % of isolates, the most common types being bla (NDM)- and bla (OXA)-type alleles. Using long-read sequencing, we determined that approximately 30 % of isolates with carbapenemase genes on plasmids had acquired them via horizontal transmission. Overall, a national framework to collate more contextual genomic data, particularly for plasmids and resistant bacteria in the community, is needed to better understand how carbapenemase genes are transmitted in the UK. | 2023 | 37405394 |
| 838 | 5 | 0.9945 | KPC and NDM-1 genes in related Enterobacteriaceae strains and plasmids from Pakistan and the United States. To characterize the genomic context of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) and Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC), we sequenced 78 Enterobacteriaceae isolates from Pakistan and the United States encoding KPC, NDM-1, or no carbapenemase. High similarities of the results indicate rapid spread of carbapenem resistance between strains, including globally disseminated pathogens. | 2015 | 25988236 |
| 1740 | 6 | 0.9945 | MDR Escherichia coli carrying CTX-M-24 (IncF[F-:A1:B32]) and KPC-2 (IncX3/IncU) plasmids isolated from community-acquired urinary trainfection in Brazil. Acquired antibiotic resistance in bacteria has become an important worldwide challenge. Currently, several bacteria, including Escherichia coli, have multidrug resistance profiles. Genes such as bla CTX-M-24 and bla KPC-2 (carbapenemase) are widespread. This research letter reports about a genomic surveillance study where multidrug-resistant E. coli containing CTX-M-24(IncF [F-:A1:B32]) and KPC-2(IncX3/IncU) plasmids were obtained from community- acquired urinary tract infection in Brazil. | 2022 | 36228665 |
| 1499 | 7 | 0.9945 | Expansion of KPC-producing Enterobacterales in four large hospitals in Hanoi, Vietnam. OBJECTIVES: The incidence of carbapenem resistance among nosocomial Gram-negative bacteria in Vietnam is high and increasing, including among Enterobacterales. In this study, we assessed the presence of one of the main carbapenemase genes, bla(KPC), among carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) from four large hospitals in Hanoi, Vietnam, between 2010 and 2015, and described their key molecular characteristics. METHODS: KPC-producing Enterobacterales were detected using conventional PCR and were further analysed using S1 nuclease pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (S1-PFGE), Southern blotting and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) for sequence typing and genetic characterisation. RESULTS: bla(KPC) genes were detected in 122 (20.4%) of 599 CRE isolates. bla(KPC)-carrying plasmids were diverse in size. Klebsiella pneumoniae harbouring bla(KPC) genes belonged to ST15 and ST11, whereas KPC-producing Escherichia coli showed more diverse sequence types including ST3580, ST448, ST709 and ST405. Genotypic relationships supported the hypothesis of circulation of a population of 'resident' resistant bacteria in one hospital through the years and of transmission among these hospitals via patient transfer. WGS results revealed co-carriage of several other antimicrobial resistance genes and three different genetic contexts of bla(KPC-2). Among these, the combination of ISEcp1-bla(CTX-M) and ISKpn27-bla(KPC)-ΔISKpn6 on the same plasmid is reported for the first time. CONCLUSION: We describe the dissemination of bla(KPC)-expressing Enterobacterales in four large hospitals in Hanoi, Vietnam, since 2010, which may have started earlier, along with their resistance patterns, sequence types, genotypic relationship, plasmid sizes and genetic context, thereby contributing to the overall picture of the antimicrobial resistance situation in Enterobacterales in Vietnam. | 2021 | 34607061 |
| 1719 | 8 | 0.9945 | Acquisition of Plasmid with Carbapenem-Resistance Gene bla(KPC2) in Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae, Singapore. The convergence of carbapenem-resistance and hypervirulence genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae has led to the emergence of highly drug-resistant superbugs capable of causing invasive disease. We analyzed 556 carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates from patients in Singapore hospitals during 2010-2015 and discovered 18 isolates from 7 patients also harbored hypervirulence features. All isolates contained a closely related plasmid (pKPC2) harboring bla(KPC-2), a K. pneumoniae carbapenemase gene, and had a hypervirulent background of capsular serotypes K1, K2, and K20. In total, 5 of 7 first patient isolates were hypermucoviscous, and 6 were virulent in mice. The pKPC2 was highly transmissible and remarkably stable, maintained in bacteria within a patient with few changes for months in the absence of antimicrobial drug selection pressure. Intrapatient isolates were also able to acquire additional antimicrobial drug resistance genes when inside human bodies. Our results highlight the potential spread of carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent K. pneumoniae in Singapore. | 2020 | 32091354 |
| 842 | 9 | 0.9944 | Molecular characterization of antimicrobial resistance genes and plasmid profiles in enterobacterales isolated from urinary tract infections in rural outpatient women in Otavalo, Ecuador. BACKGROUND: The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria poses a significant public health threat, particularly in the context of urinary tract infections (UTIs), which rank as the second most common ambulatory illness. UTIs are often caused by Enterobacterales species, such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, with increasing resistance to critical antibiotics complicating treatment. Indigenous rural populations, like those in Ecuador, face unique challenges due to cultural, social, and economic barriers that hinder access to healthcare, exacerbating the issue of antibiotic resistance. METHODS: This study analyzed 154 Enterobacterales strains isolated from ambulatory UTI cases in outpatiens from Otavalo, Ecuador, between October 2021 and February 2022. DNA was extracted, and the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) was screened using PCR for extended-spectrum beta-lactamases and carbapenemases. Plasmid incompatibility groups were identified through replicon typing, and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) was performed to characterize strains. RESULTS: The analysis revealed four prevalent ARGs, with bla(TEM) being the most common (87.01% of isolates), followed by bla(CTX-M-1) (44.16%), bla(SHV) (18.83%), and bla(CTX-M-9) (13.64%). No carbapenemases or mcr-1 genes were detected. Among the incompatibility groups, IncFIB, IncF, and IncY were the most prevalent. A diverse array of ARG combinations was observed, indicating significant plasmid-mediated genetic plasticity. MLST identified 33 distinct sequence types among E. coli isolates, with ST10 and ST3944 being the most frequent. For K. pneumoniae, ST15 and ST25 were predominant. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals significant antibiotic resistance among Enterobacterales from urinary tract infections in rural outpatients in Ecuador. The bla(TEM) gene was found in 87.01% of isolates, with notable clones like E. coli ST10 and ST3944 linked to extraintestinal infections. K. pneumoniae ST15 and ST25 were prevalent, indicating multidrug resistance. The findings highlight the need for ongoing surveillance and targeted public health strategies to combat resistance in these vulnerable communities. | 2025 | 41131447 |
| 2109 | 10 | 0.9943 | Screening of nursing home residents for colonization with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae admitted to acute care hospitals: Incidence and risk factors. BACKGROUND: There are increasing reports of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli in nursing homes and acute care hospitals. METHODS: We performed a point prevalence survey to detect fecal carriage of gram-negative bacteria carrying carbapenem resistance genes or which were otherwise resistant to carbapenem antibiotics among 500 consecutive admissions from local nursing homes to 2 hospitals in Providence, Rhode Island. We performed a case-control study to identify risk factors associated with carriage of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). RESULTS: There were 404 patients with 500 hospital admissions during which they had rectal swab samples cultured. Fecal carriage of any carbapenem-resistant or carbapenemase- producing gram-negative bacteria was found in 23 (4.6%) of the 500 hospital admissions, including 7 CRE (1.4%), 2 (0.4%) of which were Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (ie, blaKPC) producing (CPE) Citrobacter freundii, 1 of which was carbapenem susceptible by standard testing methods. Use of a gastrostomy tube was associated with CRE carriage (P = .04). We demonstrated fecal carriage of carbapenem-resistant or carbapenemase-producing gram-negative bacteria in 4.6% of nursing home patients admitted to 2 acute care hospitals, but only 0.4% of such admissions were patients with fecal carriage of CPE. Use of gastrostomy tubes was associated with fecal carriage of gram-negative bacteria with detectable carbapenem resistance. CONCLUSION: CRE fecal carriage is uncommon in our hospital admissions from nursing homes. | 2016 | 26631643 |
| 2495 | 11 | 0.9943 | Transmission of Mobile Colistin Resistance (mcr-1) by Duodenoscope. BACKGROUND: Clinicians increasingly utilize polymyxins for treatment of serious infections caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria. Emergence of plasmid-mediated, mobile colistin resistance genes creates potential for rapid spread of polymyxin resistance. We investigated the possible transmission of Klebsiella pneumoniae carrying mcr-1 via duodenoscope and report the first documented healthcare transmission of mcr-1-harboring bacteria in the United States. METHODS: A field investigation, including screening targeted high-risk groups, evaluation of the duodenoscope, and genome sequencing of isolated organisms, was conducted. The study site included a tertiary care academic health center in Boston, Massachusetts, and extended to community locations in New England. RESULTS: Two patients had highly related mcr-1-positive K. pneumoniae isolated from clinical cultures; a duodenoscope was the only identified epidemiological link. Screening tests for mcr-1 in 20 healthcare contacts and 2 household contacts were negative. Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli were recovered from the duodenoscope; neither carried mcr-1. Evaluation of the duodenoscope identified intrusion of biomaterial under the sealed distal cap; devices were recalled to repair this defect. CONCLUSIONS: We identified transmission of mcr-1 in a United States acute care hospital that likely occurred via duodenoscope despite no identifiable breaches in reprocessing or infection control practices. Duodenoscope design flaws leading to transmission of multidrug-resistant organsisms persist despite recent initiatives to improve device safety. Reliable detection of colistin resistance is currently challenging for clinical laboratories, particularly given the absence of a US Food and Drug Administration-cleared test; improved clinical laboratory capacity for colistin susceptibility testing is needed to prevent the spread of mcr-carrying bacteria in healthcare settings. | 2019 | 30204838 |
| 904 | 12 | 0.9943 | High prevalence of contamination of sink drains with carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in 4 intensive care units apart from any epidemic context. We report a high prevalence (28%) of sink drains contaminated with carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in 4 intensive care units with a history of CPE carriage in hospitalized patients within the previous 5 years, but apart from any current epidemic context. Carbapenemase genes, particularly bla(VIM) and bla(NDM), were identified by polymerase chain reaction in sink drains in which no CPE was detected, but very few data are available in the literature concerning their presence in sink drains. | 2020 | 31495643 |
| 1571 | 13 | 0.9943 | Klebsiella pneumoniae ST147 harboring bla(NDM-1), multidrug resistance and hypervirulence plasmids. The spread of hypervirulent (hv) and carbapenem-/multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae is an emerging problem in healthcare settings. The New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (bla(NDM-1)) is found in Enterobacteriaceae including K. pneumoniae. The bla(NDM-1) is capable of hydrolyzing β-lactam antibiotics which are used for treatment of severe infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. This is associated with the unacceptably high mortality rate in immunocompromised burn injury patients. This study reports on the characterization of bla(NDM-1) gene and virulence factors in hv carbapenem-/multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae ST147 in the burns unit of a tertiary teaching hospital during routine surveillance. Two K. pneumoniae strains were obtained from wounds of burn-infected patients from May 2020 to July 2021. The hypervirulence genes and genetic context of the bla(NDM-1) gene and mobile genetic elements potentially involved in the transposition of the gene were analyzed. We identified a conserved genetic background and an IS26 and open reading frame flanking the bla(NDM-1) gene that could suggest its involvement in the mobilization of the gene. The plasmid harbored additional antibiotic resistance predicted regions that were responsible for resistance to almost all the routinely used antibiotics. To ensure the identification of potential outbreak strains during routine surveillance, investigations on resistance genes and their environment in relation to evolution are necessary for molecular epidemiology.IMPORTANCEData obtained from this study will aid in the prompt identification of disease outbreaks including evolving resistance and virulence of the outbreak bacteria. This will help establish and implement antimicrobial stewardship programs and infection prevention protocols in fragile health systems in countries with limited resources. Integration of molecular surveillance and translation of whole-genome sequencing in routine diagnosis will provide valuable data for control of infection. This study reports for the first time a high-risk clone K. pneumoniae ST147 with hypervirulence and multidrug-resistance features in Ghana. | 2024 | 38315028 |
| 1884 | 14 | 0.9943 | Genomic analysis of Klebsiella pneumoniae high-risk clone ST11 co-harbouring MCR-1.27 and KPC-2 recovered at a paediatric oncologic hospital in the Brazilian Amazon region. OBJECTIVES: The horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in Gram-negative bacteria, mainly through plasmids, is one of the greatest concerns for health systems worldwide and has been a growing threat in hospitals related to healthcare-associated infections by multidrug-resistant bacteria. Here we present p henotypic and genomic characterization of a KPC-2 and MCR-1.27-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strain isolated from a paediatric patient at an oncologic hospital in Belém, Pará State, Brazilian Amazon region. METHODS: Antibiotic susceptibility test, whole genome sequencing, and in silico analysis were used to characterize the bacterial isolate (IEC48020) received in the Evandro Chagas Institute. RESULTS: The isolate was resistant to carbapenems, colistin, polymyxin B, and several other antimicrobials and was susceptible in vitro just to tigecycline, classified as an extensively drug-resistant phenotype. Genomic analysis revealed IEC48020 strain belonged to sequence type 11, clonal complex 258 high-risk clone and the presence of eight plasmids, two of them harbouring mcr-1.27 and bla(KPC-2) genes, and the presence of virulence-related genes encoding yersiniabactin, phospholipase D, and traT genes. CONCLUSIONS: The presence and dissemination of high-risk clone bacteria with high disseminating plasmids containing antibiotic resistance genes for last resource antibiotics treatment options is a threat to the healthcare system and demands efforts in surveillance and epidemiological research for better knowledge of the actual situation of antibiotic resistance in the healthcare system, especially in the Amazon region, Brazil. | 2023 | 37088246 |
| 1525 | 15 | 0.9942 | Genetic Characterization of Enterobacter hormaechei Co-Harboring bla (NDM-1) and mcr-9 Causing Upper Respiratory Tract Infection. PURPOSE: With the spread of multiple drug-resistant bacteria, bla (NDM-1) and mcr-9 have been detected in various bacteria worldwide. However, the simultaneous detection of bla (NDM-1) and mcr-9 in Enterobacter hormaechei has been rarely reported. This study identified an E. hormaechei strain carrying both bla (NDM-1) and mcr-9. We investigated the genetic characteristics of these two resistance genes in detail, elucidating various potential mechanisms by which they may be transmitted. METHODS: Bacterial genomic features and possible origins were assessed by whole-genome sequencing (WGS) with Illumina and PacBio platforms and phylogenetic analysis. Subsequent investigations were performed, including antimicrobial susceptibility testing and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). RESULTS: We isolated an E. hormaechei strain DY1901 carrying both bla (NDM-1) and mcr-9 from the sputum sample. Susceptibility testing showed that the isolate was multidrug-resistant. Multiple antibiotic resistance genes and virulence genes are widely distributed in DY1901. S1-PFGE, Southern blotting, and plasmid replicon typing showed that DY1901 carried four plasmids. The plasmid carrying mcr-9 was 259Kb in size and belonged to IncHI2, while the plasmid carrying bla (NDM-1) was 45Kb in length and belonged to IncX3. CONCLUSION: The E. hormaechei strain isolated in this study has a broad antibiotic resistance spectrum, posing a challenge to clinical treatment. Plasmids carrying mcr-9 are fusion plasmids, and those taking NDM are widely disseminated in China, suggesting that we should conduct routine genomic surveillance on such plasmids to curb the spread of drug-resistant bacteria in the region. | 2022 | 36068833 |
| 1853 | 16 | 0.9941 | Dissemination dynamics of colistin resistance genes mcr-9 and mcr-10 across diverse Inc plasmid backbones. BACKGROUND: The polymyxin antibiotic colistin is used as a final line of treatment for life threatening infections caused by multidrug resistant and carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Mobile colistin resistance genes mcr-9 and mcr-10 are increasingly detected in Enterobacteriaceae but their epidemiology is poorly understood. METHODS: The genetic characteristics of mcr-9 and mcr-10, being the only mobile colistin resistance genes detected in a local population of Enterobacter species isolated from bloodstream infections in Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, USA, were elucidated and contextualized against a global dataset of mcr-9/10-bearing plasmids using genomic and phylogenetic tools. RESULTS: Seven out of 59 Enterobacter isolates carry either an mcr-9 or mcr-10 on a plasmid with distinct single and multiple replicon configurations, including IncFIB(pECLA), IncFIB(K), IncFIA(HI1)-IncFIB(K), IncFIB(pECLA)--IncFII(pECLA) and IncFIB(K)--IncFII(pECLA), whereas two genomes harbor mcr-9 on their chromosome. Global contextualization reveals that allelic variants of mcr-9 and mcr-10 are widely disseminated across diverse Inc-type plasmids, transcending geographic and taxonomic boundaries. Plasmid-borne genes conferring resistance to other antimicrobial agents, such as aminoglycoside, tetracycline and trimethoprim, tend to co-occur with mcr-9.1 and mcr-9.2 alleles. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study enhance our understanding of the plasmid backgrounds of mcr-9 and mcr-10, their associated antimicrobial resistance gene carriage and co-occurrence. This knowledge may be critical to inform scalable and effective public health interventions aimed at preserving the efficacy of colistin. | 2025 | 40999001 |
| 1821 | 17 | 0.9941 | Emergence and dissemination of bla(KPC-31) and bla(PAC-2) among different species of Enterobacterales in Colombia: a new challenge for the microbiological laboratories. Ceftazidime/avibactam (CZA) is a promising treatment option for infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE). However, CZA resistance is increasingly reported worldwide, largely due to the emergence of KPC variants and increase of metallo-β-lactamases (MBL). This study describes the mechanisms associated with CZA resistance in circulating Enterobacterales isolates from Colombia, highlighting the challenge this represents for microbiological identification. Between 2021 and 2024, 68 CZA-resistant Enterobacterales isolates were identified by automated methods in seven Colombian cities. Resistance to CZA was subsequently confirmed by broth microdilution and E-test. Carbapenemase production was evaluated using phenotypic tests, such as the mCIM test, Carba NP, lateral flow assay, and qPCR (bla(KPC), bla(NDM), bla(VIM), bla(IMP), and bla(OXA-48)). Whole-genome sequencing was performed on 15 isolates that tested negative for MBL genes. Whole-genome sequencing of these 15 isolates revealed a variety of resistance determinants: six isolates harbored bla(KPC-31), one bla(KPC-33), one bla(KPC-8), five harbored bla(PAC-2), and two co-harbored bla(PAC-2) and bla(KPC-2). Notably, bla(PAC-2) was located on an IncQ plasmid. However, some of these variants were not detected by phenotypic assays, likely due to their low or undetectable carbapenemase activity. CZA resistance in non-MBL producing Enterobacterales in Colombia is primarily mediated by the presence of bla(KPC-31) and emergence of bla(PAC-2). These resistance mechanisms pose significant diagnostic, therapeutic, and epidemiological challenges, as they frequently go undetected by conventional microbiological methods. In this context, enhanced molecular surveillance and improved diagnostic strategies are urgently needed to enable early detection, guide antimicrobial therapy, and support infection control and stewardship efforts.IMPORTANCEAntibiotic resistance is a serious global health threat. Ceftazidime/avibactam (CZA) is a key treatment option for multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterobacterales often used when other antibiotics fail. However, bacteria are now developing resistance to this drug as well, making infections increasingly difficult to treat. In this study, we examined CZA-resistant bacteria from multiple cities in Colombia and found uncommon resistance genes across several bacterial species. These genes are frequently missed, as they often do not test positive due to the limitations of most routinely used laboratory tests. Importantly, some of these genes can be transferred between bacteria, increasing the likelihood of indiscriminate dissemination in the hospital setting. Therefore, our findings highlight the urgent need for improved diagnostic tools and molecular surveillance. Early detection will help physicians select effective treatments quickly and prevent the wider dissemination of these MDR-resistant bacteria. | 2025 | 41070989 |
| 1718 | 18 | 0.9941 | Pandrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from Ukrainian war victims are hypervirulent. OBJECTIVES: Carbapenem- and colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae were isolated from war victims treated in hospitals in Ukraine. The question was whether these pandrug-resistant K. pneumoniae are pathogenic and capable of causing disease in a broader context. METHODS: Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates (n = 37) were tested for antibiotic resistance and subjected to whole-genome sequencing (WGS). In addition, their pathogenicity was tested by serum resistance and two separate animal models. RESULTS: Isolates belonging to the sequence types (ST) 23, 147, 307, 395, and 512 were found to harbor resistance genes against carbapenems and cephalosporins. Nine isolates carried point mutations in pmrB and phoP genes associated with colistin resistance. All bacteria were equipped with multiple virulence genes, and the colistin-resistant isolates each carried 10 different genes. Colistin-resistant K. pneumoniae were more serum-resistant, more virulent against G. mellonella larvae, and displayed an increased survival in mice compared to colistin-susceptible bacteria. The iucA, peg-344, rmpA, rmpC, and rmpD genes were associated with increased virulence in animals. CONCLUSIONS: Pandrug-resistant K. pneumoniae in Ukraine are hypervirulent and retain their pathogenicity, highlighting the need to prevent disseminated spread. | 2024 | 39396555 |
| 844 | 19 | 0.9941 | Whole Genome Sequencing of Extended Spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from Hospitalized Patients in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae remain a critical clinical concern worldwide. The aim of this study was to characterize ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae detected within and between two hospitals in uMgungundlovu district, South Africa, using whole genome sequencing (WGS). An observational period prevalence study on antibiotic-resistant ESKAPE (i.e. Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter spp.) bacteria was carried out in hospitalized patients during a two-month period in 2017. Rectal swabs and clinical specimens were collected from patients hospitalized and were screened for ESBL-producing, Gram-negative ESKAPE bacteria using cefotaxime-containing MacConkey agar and ESBL combination disk tests. Nine confirmed ESBL-K. pneumoniae isolated from six patients and two hospitals were whole genome sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq platform. Genome sequences were screened for presence of integrons, insertion sequences, plasmid replicons, CRISPR regions, resistance genes and virulence genes using different software tools. Of the 159 resistant Gram-negative isolates collected, 31 (19.50%) were ESBL-producers, of which, nine (29.03%) were ESBL-K. pneumoniae. The nine K. pneumoniae isolates harboured several β-lactamase genes, including bla(CTX-M-15), bla(TEM-1b), bla(SHV-1), bla(OXA-1) concomitantly with many other resistance genes e.g. acc(6')-lb-cr, aadAI6, oqxA and oqxB that confer resistance to aminoglycosides and/or fluoroquinolones, respectively. Three replicon plasmid types were detected in both clinical and carriage isolates, namely ColRNAI, IncFIB(K), IncF(II). Sequence type ST152 was confirmed in two patients (one carriage isolate detected on admission and one isolate implicated in infection) in one hospital. In contrast, ST983 was confirmed in a clinical and a carriage isolate of two patients in two different hospitals. Our data indicate introduction of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae isolates into hospitals from the community. We also found evidence of nosocomial transmission within a hospital and transmission between different hospitals. The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-associated cas3 genes were further detected in two of the nine ESBL-KP isolates. This study showed that both district and tertiary hospital in uMgungundlovu District were reservoirs for several resistance determinants and highlighted the necessity to efficiently and routinely screen patients, particularly those receiving extensive antibiotic treatment and long-term hospitalization stay. It also reinforced the importance of infection, prevention and control measures to reduce the dissemination of antibiotic resistance within the hospital referral system in this district. | 2019 | 31000772 |